The Meno Pride

04/12/2025

22/10/2025

🧠

What Is Testosterone?

Although testosterone is usually thought of as a “male” hormone, it’s also produced naturally in women, mainly by the ovaries and adrenal glands.

In women, testosterone helps with:

Libido (sexual desire)
Energy and motivation
Muscle strength and bone density
Mood stability and cognitive function

🌙

Testosterone During Menopause

As women approach perimenopause and menopause, ovarian hormone production (including oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) naturally declines.

By the time of menopause, testosterone levels may have fallen by 50% or more compared to younger years.
This drop can contribute to several symptoms often attributed solely to low oestrogen.

⚖️

Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Menopausal Women

Low testosterone can overlap with other menopausal symptoms but may include:

Low libido or sexual satisfaction
Fatigue or loss of stamina
Low motivation or confidence
Reduced muscle mass and tone
Weight gain (especially around the middle)
Brain fog or reduced mental clarity
Low mood or irritability

💊

Testosterone Replacement in Menopause

In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be used alongside HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) to restore balance.

Usually prescribed for women who still experience low libido, energy, or mood issues despite standard HRT.
In the UK, this often involves a low-dose testosterone gel (licensed for men, used “off-label” for women under specialist guidance).
It’s important that this is prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional experienced in hormone therapy.

🌿

Natural Ways to Support Healthy Testosterone Levels

While not a replacement for medical treatment, lifestyle factors can support natural hormone balance:

Strength training (supports muscle and testosterone production)
Adequate protein and healthy fats in the diet
Good sleep and stress management
Limiting alcohol and processed sugar
Maintaining a healthy body weight

💬

In Summary

Testosterone plays a vital role in women’s wellbeing, not just sexual health. During menopause, declining levels can affect mood, energy, and motivation. Balancing testosterone — either naturally or through medical therapy — can make a significant difference to quality of life.

26/07/2025

Mood swings during perimenopause and menopause are real—and they’re not just “in your head.”
Hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone, can affect your brain chemistry, leading to irritability, anxiety, tearfulness, or feeling overwhelmed for no obvious reason.

One moment you’re holding it together, the next you’re crying at a supermarket advert…
This is not weakness—it’s biology.

You’re not alone, and you’re not going mad.
There is support, from lifestyle changes to therapy, reflexology, sensitivity testing, and vitamin support.

✨ Take a breath. Talk to someone. Let’s get you back to feeling you again.

20/07/2025

🌡️ Understanding the Difference: Hot Flushes vs Night Sweats

Hot flushes and night sweats are two of the most common – and often most disruptive – symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. While they may feel similar, they occur in different ways:

🕘 Hot Flushes
• Sudden sensation of heat
• Often affects the face, neck and chest
• May cause redness and perspiration
• Can happen at any time of day
• May be followed by chills

🌙 Night Sweats
• Episodes of excessive sweating during sleep
• Can disrupt rest and lead to fatigue
• May require a change of clothing or bedding
• Often linked to hormonal changes affecting body temperature regulation

Both are caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels and changes in the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that regulates body temperature.

💬 If you’re experiencing either (or both), you’re not alone. There are many ways to support your body naturally or through clinical guidance.

Need support or advice? Feel free to reach out or speak with a qualified menopause specialist.

03/07/2025

🧠💥 Feeling foggy, flat, or just plain exhausted lately?

Let’s talk about Vitamin B12 – a quiet little powerhouse that can make a big difference during perimenopause and menopause.

As our hormone levels shift, our ability to absorb nutrients—especially B12—can take a hit. And that can leave you feeling:

✨ Tired (even after a good night’s sleep)
😵‍💫 Foggy-headed or forgetful
😣 Low in mood, snappy or anxious
💤 Sleeping badly or waking up wired
💔 At risk of heart and bone issues

B12 plays a key role in energy, mood, brain health, sleep, and nerve function – all areas that can feel off balance during the menopause transition.

👉 Over 50?
👉 Plant-based diet?
👉 Gut issues like IBS or low stomach acid?
👉 Taking antacids or metformin?

You could be low in B12 and not even know it.

✅ Consider checking your levels
✅ Add B12-rich foods like eggs, dairy, meat, fish
✅ Supplement if needed (sublingual or injectable forms are great!)

Sometimes, it’s not just hormones – it’s your body needing the right support. 💛

26/06/2025

25/06/2025

Understanding Breast Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause

As hormone levels shift during perimenopause and menopause, it’s common to experience changes in breast tissue. These changes can be unfamiliar and sometimes concerning, but they are often a normal part of the body’s transition.

Common breast changes may include:

🔸 Increased tenderness or sensitivity
🔸 A feeling of fullness or heaviness
🔸 Changes in shape or size
🔸 Loss of firmness due to reduced oestrogen
🔸 The appearance of lumps or areas of thickened tissue

While many of these changes are hormone-related and benign, it’s important to stay breast aware. Regular self-checks and routine screenings (such as mammograms when eligible) remain essential.

🔍 If you notice any new or unusual changes, always seek medical advice. Early assessment provides peace of mind and ensures appropriate care if needed.

This stage of life brings many shifts—physically and emotionally. Staying informed is one of the most powerful ways to navigate menopause with confidence and clarity.

13/06/2025

🌧️ Achy joints out of nowhere? It might not just be “getting older”…

Joint pain is a common but lesser-known symptom of perimenopause and menopause. As oestrogen levels start to drop, inflammation in the body can increase — leading to stiffness, swelling, and discomfort in your joints, even if you’ve never had issues before.

It can feel like you’ve aged overnight — knees creak, hips ache, and your usual morning stretch now takes twice as long. Sound familiar?

🌀 Hormonal changes can:
• Affect collagen production (that’s the stuff that keeps joints cushioned)
• Increase inflammation
• Reduce muscle strength, putting more pressure on joints

💡 What can help?
• Gentle movement (like walking, swimming, or yoga)
• Anti-inflammatory foods (think colourful veg, oily fish, turmeric)
• Vitamin D and magnesium
• Reflexology, nutritional therapy or sensitivity testing (which we offer)

You’re not alone — and no, you’re not imagining it.

✨ Let’s talk about it, and support each other through it. Your joints deserve some love too.

05/06/2025

30/05/2025

🧠 Menopause & Cognitive Changes: Understanding Brain Fog

Many women experience changes in memory, focus, and mental clarity during perimenopause and menopause — often referred to as brain fog. These symptoms can feel worrying, especially when they begin to affect daily life or work.

Hormonal changes, particularly falling levels of oestrogen, can influence how the brain functions. Brain fog is a common but often misunderstood part of this transition.

🔹 You may notice:
• Forgetting words or names
• Losing your train of thought
• Difficulty concentrating or staying organised
• Feeling mentally slower or less sharp

These symptoms are valid, and you are not alone.

✅ Ways to manage brain fog include:
• Prioritising sleep and stress reduction
• Staying physically active
• Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
• Practising mindfulness or cognitive training exercises
• Exploring treatment options such as HRT where appropriate

🩺 Speak to your GP if symptoms are persistent or affecting your quality of life. Help is available — you don’t need to manage it alone.

📘 For more information, visit:
👉 NHS Menopause Guidance
👉 The Meno Pride page.